Miss Nabīh (Mary) Yūsuf

Who was Miss Nabīh (Mary) Yūsuf?

Miss Nabīh (Mary) Yūsuf was a young third-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic who survived the tragic sinking. Born on August 21, 1909, in Detroit, Michigan, she was just 2 (two) years old when she embarked on the ill-fated voyage. Despite her tender age, Mary’s story is one of survival against the odds and a tragic end that came too soon after her miraculous escape from the Titanic disaster.

Early Life and Background

Mary Yūsuf was born into a family of Lebanese immigrants in the United States. Her parents, Peter Joseph (Buṭrus Yūsuf) and Kātrīn Rizq, had married in Detroit, Michigan on September 5, 1904. As the daughter of a laborer, Mary’s early life was likely modest, reflecting the challenges faced by many immigrant families in the early 20th century.

A Journey Back to the Homeland

Around 1910, when Mary was just an infant, her family made a significant decision:

• They returned to Syria (Lebanon) to visit relatives
• The trip may have been prompted by financial difficulties in America
• Mary traveled with her mother and brother, Michael (Shafīq) Peter Yūsuf

This journey back to their ancestral home would set the stage for the family’s fateful return voyage on the Titanic.

The Titanic Journey

Why did the Yūsuf family board the Titanic?

The Yūsuf family boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, as part of their return journey to Detroit. They were traveling as third-class passengers, a reflection of their modest means.

Ticket Details:

• Ticket Number: 2668
• Cost: £22 7s 2d

Mary, at just 2 (two) years old, was one of the youngest passengers on board the ship. Her presence on the Titanic was part of her family’s attempt to return to their life in America after their visit to Lebanon.

Fate During the Disaster

How did Mary Yūsuf survive the Titanic sinking?

The exact details of Mary’s survival are unclear, with differing accounts of how the family escaped the disaster. What is known is that Mary, along with her mother Kātrīn Yūsuf and brother Michael, managed to survive the sinking, making them part of the fortunate minority of third-class survivors.

Post-Disaster Challenges

Upon arriving in New York, young Mary and her brother faced an additional ordeal:

• They contracted measles and were hospitalized at St. Vincent’s
• This delayed their journey to Detroit
• The experience highlights the additional hardships faced by survivors, especially children

Life After the Titanic

After recovering from measles, Mary and her family finally made their way back to Detroit. They settled into an apartment above a grocery store at 134 Congress Street East, attempting to rebuild their lives after the traumatic experience.

A Tragic End

Sadly, Mary’s survival of the Titanic disaster was not the end of her struggles. On March 22, 1914, just two years after the Titanic sinking, tragedy struck again:

• Mary, now 4 (four) years old, was left alone in the apartment
• Her parents and brother had gone to church at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
• A fire broke out in the apartment
• Michael Tonie, the grocer living below, heard Mary’s screams and rushed to help
• Despite Tonie’s heroic efforts to save her, Mary succumbed to her injuries later that day

Legacy

Mary Yūsuf’s short life was bookended by two tragic events – the Titanic disaster and the fatal fire. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of fate.

Final Resting Place

Mary is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, in an unmarked grave:

The unmarked nature of her grave adds a final, somber note to the story of a young life that survived one of history’s greatest maritime disasters, only to be cut short by another tragedy.